Fruit juices of whatever variety are very high in sugar – even if it is natural sugar – and they will burden the pancreas and the adrenals in much the same way that sucrose does.

If juices are used at all, they should be used in small quantities on special occasions only and their use should be followed by or preceded by a drink of water (to dilute the juice in the stomach).

Not all commercial fruit juices are as good for you as they make them out to be

There is so much that we do not know about the methods of preparing these drinks, that we really cannot comment on their suitability. The reader is urged to watch for after-effects such as depression, headaches and bleeding noses – especially in children. This is, after all, the most convincing evidence of all.

We do like to believe that fruit juice factories make every effort to provide a good, clean product. The fact remains, however, that it is impossible for them to inspect every fruit for worms. The insecticide they spray on the fruit will also get blended into the juice or the puree. We have received frequent reports that over-ripe fruit often finds its way into the batch. Then, whatever else the factories do in order to stop the juice from spoiling, this might or might not be in the better interests of health. You should avoid fruit juice in aluminium-lined containers, as you should cold drinks in aluminium “tin” cans.

So, which juice is good for you?

The one fruit juice that you can depend on with utmost confidence, is the one which you squeeze or extract at home yourself – provided you do not overdo it. Grape juice and orange juice are best, as these are “pre-digested” foods.

If you use whatever fruit is in season, home-made fresh juices should not prove expensive. You must remember that taking a juice in between meals is tantamount to eating in between meals, and this will burden the digestion. The best use of such drinks is probably as a substitute for the evening meal, when changing over to a two-meal-a-day plan. Otherwise, they should be taken half an hour before a meal – in which case they will serve as an appetite supressant.

There are thousands of alternatives, the following are included just to give you some ideas.